The Choirproject Considerations for the storage of a composite contemporary artwork: Tilda Lovell’s The Choirproject

Abstract: This thesis investigates alternatives for storing of the contemporary artwork Tilda Lovell’s artwork The Choirproject by artist Tilda Lovell. The piece consists of a video and nine sculptures in composite materials, predominantly bones but also notably a rubber balloon and wax. Through a combination of literature review, documentation, analysis and artist interview the artwork was examined in order to determine suitable storage alternatives for the sculptures and the rubber balloon. The thesis has gathered information on the materials present in the artwork such as deterioration and suitable climate conditions, as well as information on anoxic and low temperature storage and adsorbers. Examination and documentation of the sculptures lead to condition reports on each figure and the discovery of corroding metal in some of the sculptures. The artist interview gave insight to the values of the artwork as well as the artist view on deterioration and conservation. Analysis using FTIR was carried out on the balloon to identify whether it was natural or synthetic rubber. Though the results were inconclusive the balloon is believed to be synthetic. Following the discussion with the artist it is interpreted that the bones in the artwork are the most significant and therefore the focus when discussing climate conditions for storage. After a comparison with cold storage, anoxic conditions were determined to be the most suitable alternative for inhibiting deterioration of the rubber balloon. It was also concluded that artist interview is an invaluable tool to a conservator and that collaboration between conservator and artist two is a must.